Two position lighting device

ABSTRACT

A novel lamp consisting of a socket base and a lamp bulb unit, the bulb unit being insertable into the base partial distance so to effect an electrical engagement and light up the bulb; a further full distance insertion of the lamp causing the circuit to become broken so the bulb light goes out; and a rotation of the bulb unit at this full inserted position causing the electrical circuit to the bulb again beging closed so to light up the bulb.

United States Patent [191 Nathanson TWO POSITION LIGHTING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Albert Nathanson, 75-60 199th St.,

Flushing, NY. 11366 [22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.1 456,776

[52] [1.8. CI 240/106 R; 240/1061; 240/8.l8; 240/64 R [51] Int. C1. F21L 15/00 [58] Field of Search 240/64 R, 8.18, 10.6 R, 240/1061, 10.64, 10.65, 10.66, 10.68; 339/176 L [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,351,751 11/1967 Stube et a1. 240/10.6 R

[4 1 Aug. 12, 1975 3,522,579 8/1970 Matsuya 339/176 L Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRusse1l E. Adams, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard L. Miller [57] ABSTRACT A novel lamp consisting of a socket base and a lamp bulb unit, the bulb unit being insertable into the base partial distance so to effect an electrical engagement and light up the bulb; a further full distance insertion of the lamp causing the circuit to become broken so the bulb light goes out; and a rotation of the bulb unit at this full inserted position causing the electrical circuit to the bulb again beging closed so to light up the bulb.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures TWO POSITION LIGHTING DEVICE This invention relates generally to electric light lamps.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel electric light lamp which can be turned on by moving a bulb unit into either of two different positions, one of which comprises an axial adjustment and the other of which is a rotational adjustment.

Another object is to provide a two position light device which can be adaptable as a switch means in practical structures or which can be used as a novelty for amusement.

Still another object is to provide a two position lighting device that is unconventional, but which is quick and easy to operate.

Other objects are to provide a two position lighting device which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. I is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side cross section thereof on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged detail views of the contacts shown in FIG. 3 and illustrated in on position and "off" position, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the insulation taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a view of the block shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 10 represents a two position lighting device according to the present invention wherein there is a socket base 11 and a bulb unit 12 which is insertable into the base.

The base I 1 comprises a box-like, hollow housing 13 having a circular opening 14 through a top wall 15 so to admit the bulb unit. The interior of the housing includes a partition 16 that stationarily supports in position a pair of leaf spring contacts 17 and 18, the latter of which includes a thin insulation sleeve 19 wrapped around a central portion thereof. A compartment 20 formed below the partition can serve for storage of dry cell batteries for furnishing electrical power to the de vice, and which can be connected to conductor leads 21 connected to the contacts.

The bulb unit 12 comprises a transparent or transluscent enclosure 22 containing conventional electric bulb 23 having its stem 24 protruding from a bottom wall 25 thereof. The lower portion 26 of the enclosure 22 is slightly conical by tapering downwardly toward the bottom wall. A pair of blocks 27 are secured fixedly on diametrically opposite outer sides of the portion 26, so to form sideward protrusions. The bulb stem 24 is conventional by including tip contact 28 and side contact 29, however, in the present invention, the side contact 29 has an insulation 30 wrapped like a belt around a central portion thereof, the belt being of insufficient length to extend fully around so that there is an exposed portion 31 of the contact formed between the ends of the insulation. The insulation being around a central portion of the contact 29 thus leaves exposed the entire circular lower edge 32 of the contact 29.

In operative use, when the bulb unit 12 is inserted straight down into the opening 14 a partial distance, the contacts 17 and 28 engage in a conventional manner, as shown in FIG. 6, while the exposed terminal end of contact 18 engages the corner 32 of the contact 29, thus closing a circuit to the lamp, so to form a first operating position.

The circular opening 14 includes notches 33 for allowing blocks 27 to pass therethrough. A block 34, secured fixedly to underside of top wall 15, supports a U- shaped leaf spring 35 aligned below each notch 33 so the spring snaps above the blocks 27 and thus retain the bulb unit when the bulb unit is thereafter pushed a full distance into the base, at which time the bulb stem 24 moves from the position shown in above described FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5.

When the stem is thus fully inserted, the leaf spring contact 18 rides up the side of contact 29 so that the insulation 30 engages the contact 18, thus breaking the circuit.

Accordingly, it is understood that the assembly of the bulb 23 respective to enclosure 22 is such that the insulation 30 (and not the exposed area 31) engages the contact 18.

The bulb unit 12 includes a cross handle 36 secured to the top thereof for allowing the unit to be manually pulled out of the base or else rotated therewithin.

When the unit 12 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, and it is then rotated, the contact 18 can engage the exposed area 31 of the contact 29, thus again closing the circuit and restoring the illumination.

Thus a novel two position lighting device is provided.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a two position lighting device the combination of a socket base and a lamp bulb unit engagable therewith, wherein said bulb unit comprises a lamp bulb having a stem, a translucent enclosure surrounding said bulb, said stem of said lamp protruding from said enclosure, said stem including a tip contact and a cylindrical side contact having a mid portion and insulating means partially surrounding said mid portion, said socket base comprises a casing, an opening in said casing, means electrically engagable with said contacts of said bulb unit when said bulb unit is partially inserted into said opening and when said unit is completely inserted and rotated into its final position within said opening, said means being out of electrical engagement with said contacts when said bulb unit is completely inserted into said opening without rotation.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said socket base comprises an electric power means, said means electrically engagable comprising first and second leaf springs, each spring having a contact tip and an intermediate portion, said electric power means contact of said bulb and said contact tip of said other of said leaf springs being electrically engagable with said tip contact of said lamp bulb. 

1. In a two position lighting device the combination of a socket base and a lamp bulb unit engagable therewith, wherein said bulb unit comprises a lamp bulb having a stem, a translucent enclosure surrounding said bulb, said stem of said lamp protruding from said enclosure, said stem including a tip contact and a cylindrical side contact having a mid portion and insulating means partially surrounding said mid portion, said socket base comprises a casing, an opening in said casing, means electrically engagable with said contacts of said bulb unit when said bulb unit is partially inserted into said opening and when said unit is completely inserted and rotated into its final position within said opening, said means being out of electrical engagement with said contacts when said bulb unit is completely inserted into said opening without rotation.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said socket base comprises an electric power means, said means electrically engagable comprising first and second leaf springs, each spring having a contact tip and an intermediate portion, said electric power means being connected to said leaf springs, one of said leaf springs having an insulation sleeve surrounding its intermediate portion, said contact tip of said one of said leaf springs being electrically engagable with said side contact of said lamp bulb and said contact tip of said other of said leaf springs being electrically engagable with said tip contact of said lamp bulb. 